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Three-year beginning Commanders working again Brian Robinson Jr. seems to be on his method out.

The Commanders might have demonstrated why Monday night time. With Robinson sidelined amid reported trade rumors, Washington ran roughshod over a porous Bengals protection as each groups performed their starters early.

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The Commanders exploded for a four-play, 73-yard landing drive on their opening possession with out throwing a move. Running again Chris Rodriguez broke free for a 40-yard run to arrange quarterback Jayden Daniels for a 14-yard landing scramble through and previous a number of hapless Bengals defenders.

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Then got here Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s time to shine. The seventh-round rookie out of Arizona took the starring function on Washington’s second drive with 32 speeding yards because the Commanders wanted simply three performs to attain their second landing of the sport.

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Croskey-Merritt capped the drive with a 27-yard landing run.

By halftime, Rodriguez had six carries for 62 yards (10.3 ypc) and Croskey-Merritt had 32 yards on two carries (16 ypc). Deebo Samuel (1 carry, 19 yards) and Daniels (1 carry, 14 yards) had additionally gashed the Bengals protection for giant good points.

Washington tallied 130 yards on 13 first-half carries (10 yards per try) in opposition to a Bengals protection that regarded simply as unhealthy because it did in the course of the common season in 2024.

It’s at all times arduous to belief your eyes within the preseason. But Cincinnati’s run protection did little to encourage confidence, whereas Washington might have set its working again room with out Robinson within the combine.

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NFL high storylines

  • Browns title Joe Flacco beginning quarterback for Week 1: The Cleveland Browns announced Monday that Joe Flacco will begin Week 1 in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, a transfer that has been anticipated for some time and is now official. That hardly ends the intrigue on the Browns’ depth chart, although, with presumptive backup Kenny Pickett having but to take an in-game snap this preseason attributable to damage, fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders nonetheless battling an indirect damage, and third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel having regarded strong in his debut over the weekend. With Flacco getting taking part in time in Saturday’s preseason finale, snaps will probably be much more scarce for the opposite three QBs on the roster. How will this shake out?

  • Matthew Stafford returns to Rams apply: Breathe a sigh of aid, Los Angeles Rams followers and fantasy gamers. Matthew Stafford finally returned to practice on Monday after battling an aggravated disc in his again and took half in group drills. Head coach Sean McVay stated he thought Stafford did a very good job, however opted to play issues rigorously, deeming Stafford as day-to-day and week-to-week. McVay referred to as it a “very fluid” state of affairs and stated whereas it was “great” that Stafford was capable of get again to apply, the group will see how he responds the remainder of the day and Tuesday.

  • Browns signal WR Isaiah Bond, gave him lie detector take a look at: The Cleveland Browns reportedly signed wide receiver Isaiah Bond to a three-year, $3 million deal Monday after he was not charged as a part of a sexual assault investigation. Bond, 21, was anticipated to be a mid-round decide within the 2025 NFL Draft however went undrafted after being arrested simply two weeks earlier than the draft. On Thursday, Bond was “no-billed” by a grand jury in Texas, which means there was not sufficient proof to cost him. As a part of that diligence, the group apparently had Bond go through an impartial polygraph take a look at, per group basic supervisor Andrew Berry.

NFL group feeds

AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans

AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders

NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks

NFL preseason live weblog

Follow alongside beneath as Yahoo Sports tracks all of the updates from NFL preseason and coaching camps:



Sources